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PROJECT LIGHTHOUSE WILL CONTINUE TO SHINE FOR RUNAWAY YOUTH
(MONROE COUNTY, FL) The Florida Keys Children's Shelter (FKCS) has recently been approved for an unprecedented second federal grant to assist troubled runaways in turning their lives around. The three-year grant for $100,000 per year will fund the continuation of FKCS's Project Lighthouse, an innovative street outreach program designed to decrease incidents of sexual exploitation of runaway youth. This problem occurs when, lacking any other means of supporting themselves, the youth get caught up in prostitution, table dancing and other situations that make them particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. In addition Project Lighthouse staff works with youth in several areas, including; drug/alcohol prevention, employment skills/assistance, counseling and crisis intervention work, helping youth join the community in a meaningful way, and reuniting youth with their families. Since its inception in April 2005, Project Lighthouse has assisted 621 boys and girls in finding their way.
Project Lighthouse is located in Key West and is lead by renowned artist Tim Curtis. Tim and the Project Lighthouse staff use the lure of artistic/musical endeavors and the language of travel to engage a highly resistant group of youth in exploring issues of personal safety, harm reduction, and improved decision-making to ensure a greater likelihood of successful transition to adulthood.
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Street Outreach Program Grant is awarded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Runaway and Homeless Youth Program. FKCS joins Family Resources, Inc., of Pinellas County, as the only two Florida Street Outreach competitive grant recipients awarded this year.
Background:
Today, in communities across the country, there are young people living on the streets, running from or being asked to leave homes characterized by abuse, neglect, or parental drug or alcohol abuse. Many of the families and homes they come from also have histories of mental health issues. Once on the streets, such youth are at-risk of being sexually exploited or abused by adults for pleasure or profit. These youth for the most part were never taught how to properly care for themselves or others. They basically lack the appropriate basic survival skills they would need to procure and/or maintain food, water, clothes, hygiene etc. This is how they fall prey to predators.
To prevent the sexual abuse or exploitation of these young people, and to provide them with services that help them leave the streets, Congress established the Education and Prevention Services to Reduce Sexual Abuse of Runaway, Homeless, and Street Youth Program, through the Violence Against Women Act of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-322). That program created Grants for the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (also known as the Street Outreach Program) to fund street-based outreach and education for runaway and homeless youth and youth on the streets who have been, or are at risk of being, sexually abused and/or exploited.
In 2004/2005 the Florida Keys Children's Shelter (FKCS) created Project Lighthouse to assist troubled runaways in turning their lives around. Project Lighthouse operates a full-time drop-in center (i.e. music/art studio) along with performing regular outreach efforts throughout the Florida Keys. Street youth are invited to learn how to play musical instruments or how to make art (from sculptures to jewelry, photography or bike repair) in order for them to build their skill sets and self-esteem. They are encouraged to express themselves in these positive ways and are provided consignment space in the gallery to sell their work legitimately. They are also invited to simply come in, clean up and/or relax in a drug-free, safe sanctuary. Project Lighthouse's motto is that all human beings are travelers in this world, and so each person who comes through the doors are treated as equals, worthy of respect.
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